Month: September 2022

High School Boys Cross Country Poll: Week 7

Every Thursday, El Paso Running will utilize a point system to highlight El Paso’s top boy’s cross country runners.

The system is as follows: In a race of less than 150 runners, first place gets 10 points, second gets 9 points all the way down to 10th place which gets 1 point. For meets with between 150 to 300 runners, double points will be rewarded meaning 20 points for first, 19 for second all the way down to 1 point for 20th. For every additional 150 runners, another 10 runners will be included in the points.

For those who like raw times, we also list the Top 25 boys race times and the meets and dates that they occurred.

For questions, videos and photos email vrmart66@gmail.com.

This week’s schedule

Desert Twilight Invitational: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30 at the Coyote Run Golf Course, Mesa, Arizona. Franklin, Del Valle, Socorro, Tornillo, San Eli, Eastwood.

Coronado Invitational: 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 1. at Don Haskins Park. Coronado, Irvin, Andress, Chapin, Socorro, El Dorado, Anthony, Ysleta boys, Cathedral, Loretto, Bowie.

Clint/Fabens Invitational: 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 1 at Fabens High School. Clint, Fabens, Radford, Montwood, Ysleta girls, YWLA, Ft. Hancock, Riverside, Hanks, Chapin, El Paso High.

Nike South: 7 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 1 at The Woodlands. Del Valle, Pebble Hills, Montwood, Americas, Eastlake.

Mayfield Invitational: 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 1. Austin, Jefferson, Burges.

San Elizario runners Chris Moreno and Julian Guerra set season best times at Old Settler’s Park.

Top 10

1. Franklin: The Cougars won the Class 6A District Preview at Horizon Golf Course with 29 points, placing six runners in the top 10. Matthew Engle paced Franklin, finishing second in 16:27.96 followed by Denovan Estrada (third, 16:37.82), Sebastian Gonzalez (seventh, 17:16.63), Ethan Fontaine (eighth, 17:17.04), Diego Flores (ninth, 17:17.10) and Oscar Guzman (tenth, 17:22.66). The team will travel to Mesa, Arizona to compete in the Desert Twilight Invitational.

2. Eastwood: The Troopers did not race this weekend. The team will compete at the Desert Twilight Invitational in Mesa, Arizona on Friday night.

3. Coronado: The T-Birds finished second at the Class 6A District Preview at Horizon Golf Course five points behind Franklin. Coronado had three runners in the top 10 including Luis Pastor who won his fourth race of the season. He finished in 16:03.09. Edgar Valles was fourth in 16:50.92 and Carlos Mendez was sixth in 17:08.56. The team will race at its own invitational on Saturday at Don Haskins Park.

4. Pebble Hills: The Spartans did not run its varsity on Saturday. The team will race at Nike South in The Woodlands on Saturday morning.

5. San Elizario: The Eagles raced two of its boys in the Silver Division of the McNeil Invitational in Round Rock. Chris Moreno won the event in a season best 15:22.10. Julian Guerra also had a season best, finishing tenth in 15:52.10. The race was at the state course at Old Settlers Park. The team will compete at the Desert Twilight Invitational in Mesa, Arizona on Friday night.

6. El Paso High: The Tigers easily won the Class 5A District Preview at Horizon Golf Course with 21 points. El Paso High had all five scoring runners finish in the top 7. Miles Westbrook won the 2.7 mile race in 15:14.29 followed by Leo Valenzuela (second, 15:22.91), Ulysses O’Rourke (fifth, 15:58.53), Aydan Lugo (sixth, 16:00.09) and Lorenzo Shields (seventh, 16:43.35).

7. Tornillo: Tornillo won the Riverside/Clint ISD Course Preview at Horizon Golf Course with 79 points. Angel Torres picked up the individual title in 16:25.30 and Daniel Romero was second in 17:14.55.

8. Americas: The Trailblazers finished third in Class 6A District Preview at Horizon Golf Course. Its top runner was Diego Romero who finished fifth in 17:04.65. The team is scheduled to race at Nike South in The Woodlands on Saturday morning.

9. Chapin: The Huskies finished second at the Class 5A District Preview at Horizon Golf Course. Two runners finished in the top 8 – Braulio Torres was fourth in 15:54.72 and Sean Sanchez was eighth in 16:51.50.

10. Bel Air:  The Highlanders were second at the Riverside/Clint ISD Course Preview at Horizon Golf Course. William Potter was ninth in 18:24.71 and Leonardo Resendez was tenth in 18:44.33.

Dropped out: None.

On the brink: Hanks, Parkland, Montwood.

The season is heading into its final stretch. Championship season begins Oct. 14.

Top times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Anthony Casillas, Eastwood, 15:09.9 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

2, Chris Moreno, San Elizario, 15:22.10 (Old Settlers Park, 9/24).

3, Alexander Flores, Eastwood, 15:23.7 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

4, Diego Flores, Franklin, 15:26.04 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

5, Denovan Estrada, Franklin, 15:29.44 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

6, Leo Espino, Eastwood, 15:30.9 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

7, Matthew Engle, Franklin, 15:32.31 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

8, Joaquin Chavez, Eastwood, 15:37.8 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

9, Daniel Romero, Tornillo, 15:39.55 (Tornillo, 9/9).

10, Matthew Marshall, Eastwood, 15:40.7 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

11, Danny Torres, Eastwood, 15:45.9 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

12, Luis Pastor, Coronado, 15:46.25 (Mary Keisling Park, 8/20).

13, Alejandro Tarin, Hanks, 15:46.7 (May Simmons Park, 9/17).

14, Julian Guerra, San Elizario, 15:52.10 (Old Settlers Park, 9/24).

15, Omer Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 15:56.70 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

16, Edgar Valles, Coronado, 16:10.41 (Mary Keisling Park, 9/17).    

17, Angel Torres, Tornillo, 16:12.82 (Tornillo, 9/9).

18, Sulliman Rodriguez, Eastwood, 16:14.9(Woodbridge, 9/16).

19, Juan Leal, Franklin, 16:22.38 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

20, Braulio Torres, Chapin, 16:23.31 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

21, Noah Castorena, Pebble Hills, 16:28.95 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

22, Adrian Chavez, Eastwood, 16:32.8(Woodbridge, 9/16).

23, Ameen Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 16:33.63 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

24, Preston Eastman, Coronado, 16:35.47(Mary Keisling Park, 9/17).      

25, Seth Truax, Chapin, 16:39.13 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

Efren Moncada has been a steady force all season for Parkland.

Power Rankings

1, Daniel Romero, Tornillo, 61 (1).

2, Luis Pastor, Coronado, 59 (4).

3, Chris Moreno, San Elizario, 44 (3).

4, Miles Westbrook, El Paso, 43 (2).

5, Edgar Valles, Coronado, 39 (1).

6, Angel Torres, Tornillo, 37 (1).

7, Michael Castorena, Parkland, 36 (1).

8, Israel Quintana, Immanuel, 32.

9, Diego Flores, Franklin, 25.

10, Julian Guerra, San Elizario, 24.

10, Omer Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 24 (1).

Alexander Flores, Eastwood, 22.

Preston Eastman, Coronado, 22.

Alejandro Tarin, Hanks, 30.

Leo Valenzuela, El Paso, 28.

Matthew Engle, Franklin, 26.

Ulysses O’Rourke, El Paso, 26.

Braulio Torres, Chapin, 25.

Denovan Estrada, Franklin, 19.

Ayden Lugo, El Paso, 19.

Ameen Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 17 (1).

Matthew Guerra, Burges, 17.

Noah Castorena, Pebble Hills, 17.

Edward Robledo-Gonzales, Mt. View, 16.

Efren Moncada, Parkland, 14.

Matthew Marshall, Eastwood, 13.

Leonardo Resendez, Bel Air, 13.

Seth Truax, Chapin, 12.

Anthony Casillas, Eastwood, 11.

Oscar Guzman, Franklin, 10.

Leo Espino, Eastwood, 9.

Max Sandhu, Coronado, 9.

Carlos Mendez, Coronado, 9.

Ethan Fontaine, Franklin, 9.

Esteban Aguilera, Canutillo, 8.

Jacob Noble, Cathedral, 8.

Elijah Noble, Cathedral, 7.

Juan Leal, Franklin, 7.

Lorenzo Shields, El Paso, 7.

Diego Romero, Americas, 6.

Angel Maese, San Elizario, 5.

Andrew Hernandez, El Paso, 5.

Aidan Danny Torres, Eastwood, 5.

Jesus Herrera, Harmony Science, 5.

Julian Miramontes, Eastwood, 5.

Zachary Rivas, Pebble Hills, 4.

Sam Flores, Coronado, 4.

Joaquin Moya, El Paso, 4.

Sebastian Gonzalez, Franklin, 4.

Adam Ramirez, Montwood, 3.

Sam Breceda, Coronado, 3.

Austen Percifull, Franklin, 3.

Robert Dickerson, Pebble Hills, 3.

William Potter, Bel Air, 3.

Sean Sanchez, Chapin, 3.

Joaquin Chavez, Eastwood, 2.

Francisco Reyes, Jefferson 2.

Aidan Hernandez, Eastlake, 2.

Lorenzo Shields, Coronado, 2.

Gabriel Uranga, Franklin, 2.

Dauntae Herrera, Chapin, 2.

Micha Lay, Pebble Hills, 1.

Sulliman Rodriguez, Eastwood, 1.

Isaac Ortega, Jefferson, 1.

Renee Galaviz, Socorro, 1.

High school girls cross country poll: Week 7

Every Wednesday, El Paso Running will utilize a point system to highlight El Paso’s top girls cross country runners.

The system is as follows: In a race of less than 150 runners, first place gets 10 points, second gets 9 points all the way down to 10th place which gets 1 point. For meets with between 150 to 300 runners, double points will be rewarded meaning 20 points for first, 19 for second all the way down to 1 point for 20th. For every additional 150 runners, another 10 runners will be included in the points.

For those who like raw times, we also list the Top 25 girls race times and the meets and dates that they occurred.

For questions, videos and photos email vrmart66@gmail.com.

This week’s schedule

Desert Twilight Invitational: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30 at the Coyote Run Golf Course, Mesa, Arizona. Franklin, Eastlake, Del Valle, Socorro, Hanks, Tornillo, San Eli, Eastwood.

Coronado Invitational: 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 1. at Don Haskins Park. Coronado, Irvin, Andress, Chapin, Socorro, El Dorado, Anthony, Ysleta boys, Cathedral, Loretto, Bowie.

Clint/Fabens Invitational: 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 1 at Fabens High School. Clint, Fabens, Radford, Montwood, Ysleta girls, YWLA, Ft. Hancock, Riverside, Clint.

Nike South: 7 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 1 at The Woodlands. Del Valle, San Elizario, Pebble Hills, Montwood, Americas.

Mayfield Invitational: 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 1. Austin, Jefferson, Burges.

Riverside’s Camila Luna won the Class 4A division of the District Preview.

Top 10

1. Franklin: The Cougars dominated the Class 6A District Preview at Horizon Golf Course, placing seven runners in the top nine to score 22 points. Freshman Abigail Pinon lead the way finishing second in 20:22.76 followed by Victoria Hoyt (third, 20:24.91), Emily Orr (fourth, 20:37.58), Sofia Camacho (sixth, 20:50.38), Sophia Keiser (seventh, 21:04.77), Abby Barraza (eighth, 21:09.72) and Alyssa Laspada (ninth, 21:13.79). The team will travel to Mesa, Arizona to compete in the Desert Twilight Invitational.

 2. Eastwood: The Troopers did race this weekend. The team will compete at the Desert Twilight Invitational in Mesa, Arizona on Friday night.

3. Pebble Hills: The Spartans did not run its varsity on Saturday. The team will race at Nike South in The Woodlands on Saturday morning.

4. Montwood: The Rams move up one after an impressive second place finish at the Class 6A District Preview at Horizon Golf Course. Montwood senior Kassandra Jimenez won the event in 20:22.05 and freshman Mia Hairston was fifth in 20:46.20. The team will race at Nike South in The Woodlands on Saturday morning.

5. Eastlake: The Falcons were without a few of its top runners including junior Itzel Chavez at the Class 6A District Preview at Horizon Golf Course. Its top finisher was Natalie Martinez who finished 11th in 21:58.33. The team will travel to Mesa, Arizona to compete in the Desert Twilight Invitational.

6. El Paso High: The Tigers finished second at the Class 5A Preview at Horizon Golf Course. It must be noted that its top runners, junior Andrea Castillo and senior Jezarae Valenzuela and other runners, took a wrong turn on the course. Freshman Calista Sakellakos was seventh in 24:33.59, Marfil Sandino was eighth in 24:46.55 and Aleah Ortiz was ninth in 24:56.50.

7. Canutillo: The Eagles won the Riverside/Clint ISD Course Preview on Friday with 31 points. Natalie Rivera won her second individual championship finishing in 20:37.97. Nevaeh Escobedo was fifth in 22:34.52 and Jennifer Najar was sixth in 23:01.55.

8. Coronado: The T-Birds’ rested many of its top runners and finished fourth in the Class 6A Preview. Kyra Walker was the top runner for Coronado, finishing 16th in 23:09.50. The team will race at its own invitational on Saturday at Don Haskins Park.

9. Americas: The Trailblazers moved up a spot after its third-place finish in the Class 6A Preview at Horizon Golf Course. Sophomore Lexee Salas was tenth in 21:45.99 and classmate Laila Morales was 12th in 22:24.63. The team is scheduled to race at Nike South in The Woodlands on Saturday morning.

10. Hanks: The Knights were second at the Riverside/Clint ISD Course Preview. Sophomore Elizabeth Aguirre was third in 22:01.93) and junior Destinee Loeza was fourth in 22:12.51). The team will race at the Desert Twilight Invitational in Mesa, Arizona on Friday night.

Dropped out: None.

On the brink: Chapin, Socorro.

Top Times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 18:04.4 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

2, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 18:44.75 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

3, Salma Licon, Eastwood, 18:45.2 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

4, Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 18:52.7 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

5, Abigail Pinon, Franklin, 18:58.19 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

6, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18:58.74 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

7, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 18:59.60 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

8, Annika Cuellar, Eastwood, 19:06.8 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

9, Giovanna Zubia, Eastwood, 19:12.0 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

10, Abigail Barraza, Franklin, 19:34.09 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

11, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 19:35.11 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

12, Sophia Keiser, Franklin, 19:36.53 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

13, Emily Orr, Franklin, 19:39.36 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

14, Hannah Tellez, Eastwood, 19:42.0 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

15, Nahlur Gurrola, Eastwood, 19:43.8 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

16, Victoria Hoyt, Franklin, 19:45.68 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

17, Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 19:47.10 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

18, Natalia Martinez Lopez, Pebble Hills, 19:46.69 (Shawver Park, 9/10).

19, Rebecca Duran, Chapin, 19:58.44 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

20, Gianny Correa, Chapin, 20:01.61 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

21, Aubrey Arsenault, Pebble Hills, 20:04.43 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

22, Tessa Gibbons, Franklin, 20:16.05 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

23, Itzel Chavez, Eastlake, 20:18.87 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

24, Brooke McCune, Franklin, 20:28.25 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

25, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 20:28.43 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

Power Rankings

1, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 53 (2).

2, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 49 (4).

3, Andrea Castillo, El Paso, 38 (2).

4, Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 29.

5, Elizabeth Aguirre, Hanks, 27.

5, Abigail Pinon, Franklin, 27 (1).

7, Jezarae Valenzuela, El Paso, 26.

8, Gianny Correa, Chapin, 25.

8, Natalia Martinez Lopez, Pebble Hills, 25 (1).

8, Emily Orr, Franklin, 25.

Kylene Elias, Tornillo, Tornillo, 24 (1).

Mia Hairston, Montwood, 21.

Marysol Vidal, Bel Air, 20.

Victoria Hoyt, Franklin, 19.

Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 19 (1).

Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 18 (1).

Rebecca Duran, Chapin, 16.

Aubrey Arsenault, Pebble Hills, 16 (1).

Jeanette Rivera, Young Women’s, 16.

Itzel Chavez, Eastlake, 15.

Tessa Gibbons, Franklin, 15.

Nevaeh Escobedo, Canutillo, 15.

Camila Luna, Riverside, 15 (1).

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 15.

Sofia Ramirez, El Paso, 14.

Clarissa Castillo, El Paso, 14.

Kim Castro, Riverside, 14.

Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 13.

Destinee Loeza, Hanks, 13.

Jennifer Najar, Canutillo, 11.

Hillary Hernandez, Riverside, 11.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 10.

Brooke McCune, Franklin, 10.

Sienna Zarate, Franklin, 10 (1).

Abby Barraza, Franklin, 10.

Nohemi Garcia, Jefferson, 10 (1).

Salma Licon, Eastwood, 9.

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 9.

Keilah Valenzuela Garcia, Burges, 9.

Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 8.

Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 8.

Natalie Martinez, Eastlake, 8.

Isabella Villalobos, Chapin, 8.

Kyra Walker, Coronado, 7.

Nadine Villasana, Socorro, 7.

Paula Tapia, Riverside, 7.

Hannah Martinez, Franklin, 7.

Sophia Keiser, Franklin, 7.

Ava Maldonado, Chapin, 7.

Itzel Dean, Horizon, 6.

Kylie Alvarez, El Paso, 6.

Breckyn Wiebe, Franklin, 6.

Angelina Alvarez, Burges, 6.

Antoinette Ogaz, Fabens, 6.

Calista Sakellakos, El Paso, 6.

Mea Workman, Socorro, 5.

Paris Jones, Burges, 5.

Shani Malone, Franklin, 5.

Katelyn Montoya, San Elizario, 5.

Chloe Del Real, Eastlake, 4.

Annika Cuellar, Eastwood, 4.

Andrea Iniguez, Andress, 4.

Ashley White, Hanks, 4.

Isabella Galindo, Coronado, 3.

Hannah Tellez, Eastwood, 3.

Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 3.

Christina Duncan, Coronado, 3.

Olivia Elder, Franklin, 3.

Lluvia Armendariz-Padilla, Young Womens, 3.

Nat Escajeda, Tornillo, 3.

Marfil Sandino, El Paso, 3.

Aleah Ortiz, El Paso 3.

Arianna Castaneda, Canutillo, 2.

Nahlur Gurrola, Eastwood, 2.

Alexandra Ordaz, San Elizario, 2.

Estephanie Tena, Horizon, 2.

Sarah Dovenbarger, Eastlake, 1.

Madison Leedom, Hanks, 1.

Alina Caballero, Socorro, 1.

Kayla Hicks, Franklin, 1.

Jaquelin Gonzalez, Horizon, 1.     

Jisclem Camacho, Riverside,1       

Lexee Salas, Americas, 1.

A’Ishah Smith, Chapin, 1.

High School Boys Cross Country Poll: Week 6

Every Thursday, El Paso Running will utilize a point system to highlight El Paso’s top boy’s cross country runners.

The system is as follows: In a race of less than 150 runners, first place gets 10 points, second gets 9 points all the way down to 10th place which gets 1 point. For meets with between 150 to 300 runners, double points will be rewarded meaning 20 points for first, 19 for second all the way down to 1 point for 20th. For every additional 150 runners, another 10 runners will be included in the points.

For those who like raw times, we also list the Top 25 boys race times and the meets and dates that they occurred.

For questions, videos and photos email vrmart66@gmail.com.

This week’s schedule

Clint ISD Course Preview: 8 a.m., Friday, Sept. 23 at Horizon Golf Course. Riverside, Bel Air, Ysleta, Del Valle, YWLA, Parkland, Hanks, San Elizario, Clint, Horizon, Mt. View, Anthony, Valle Verde, Fabens, Loretto, Radford, Canutillo, Tornillo.

EPISD/SISD Preview: 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 24 at Horizon Golf Course. Coronado, Irvin, Austin, Franklin, Burges, El Paso, Chapin, Bowie, Andress, Jefferson, Pebble Hills, Eastlake, Montwood, Socorro, Americas, El Dorado.

Coronado juniors Edgar Valles and Preston Eastman finished one-two at the El Paso High Invitational.

Top 10

1. Franklin: The Cougars varsity did not race last week but its open team placed four runners in the top 9 to win the Cathedral Invitational at Veterans Park. Senior Oscar Guzman was second in 16:56.85, sophomore Ethan Fontaine was fifth in 17:16.48, senior Austen Percifull was eighth in 17:50.00 and junior Gabriel Uranga was ninth in 17:50.72. The team will race at the EPISD/SISD Preview Saturday at Horizon Golf Course.

2. Eastwood: The Troopers finished 24th in the Sweepstakes Division of the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic in Irvine, Calif. Its top runner was Anthony Casillas who had a personal record of 15:09.9, the new top time in the city. The Sweepstakes Division is considered to the second toughest race in the country, behind NXN.

3. Coronado: The T-Birds finished second at the El Paso High Invitational at Mary Frances Keisling Park without its top runner Luis Pastor. Coronado had four runners in the top 8 including individual winner junior Edgar Valles (16:10.41). Junior Preston Eastman was second in 16:35.47, sophomore Max Sandhu was sixth in 17:23.85 and senior Sam Breceda was eighth in 17:54.35. The team will race at the EPISD/SISD Preview Saturday at Horizon Golf Course.

4. Pebble Hills: The Spartans finished fourth in the Class 6A division of the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park. Senior Omer Ibrahim was sixth in 16:40.4 and senior Noah Castorena was 16th in 17:38.0. Pebble Hills will race at the EPISD/SISD Preview Saturday at Horizon Golf Course.

5. San Elizario: They did not race last week. They will race Friday morning at the Clint Course Preview at Horizon Golf Course.

6. El Paso High: The Tigers won their own invitational at Mary Frances Keisling Park with 28 points. El Paso had five runners in the top nine including sophomore Miles Westbrook (third, 17:08.75), junior Leo Valenzuela (fourth, 17:13.81), sophomore Ulysses O’Rourke (fifth, 17:22.87), junior Aydan Lugo (seventh,  17:32.34) and sophomore Lorenzo Shields (ninth, 18:03.08). The team will race at the EPISD/SISD Preview Saturday at Horizon Golf Course.

7. Tornillo: Tornillo finished second in the Class 3A division of the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park. Junior Daniel Romero was second in 16:18.6 and senior Angel Torres was fourth in 17:05.2. They will race Friday morning at the Clint Course Preview at Horizon Golf Course.

8. Americas: The Trailblazers move up one after finishing sixth in the Class 6A division of the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park. Its top runner was sophomore Diego Romero who was 19th in 17:44.8. The team will race at the EPISD/SISD Preview Saturday at Horizon Golf Course.

9. Chapin: The Huskies move down one after placing seventh in the Class 5A division of the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park. Its top runner was junior Seth Truax who was 14th in 17:26.7. Chapin will race at the EPISD/SISD Preview Saturday at Horizon Golf Course.

10. Bel Air:  The Highlanders did not run a full team at the Cathedral Invitational, but junior Leonardo Resendez was fourth in 17:15.74. They will race Friday morning at the Clint Course Preview at Horizon Golf Course.

 Dropped out: None.

On the brink: Hanks, Parkland, Montwood.

Eastwood’s Anthony Casillas.

Top times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Anthony Casillas, Eastwood, 15:09.9 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

2, Alexander Flores, Eastwood, 15:23.7 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

3, Diego Flores, Franklin, 15:26.04 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

4, Denovan Estrada, Franklin, 15:29.44 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

5, Leo Espino, Eastwood, 15:30.9 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

6, Matthew Engle, Franklin, 15:32.31 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

7, Joaquin Chavez, Eastwood, 15:37.8 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

8, Daniel Romero, Tornillo, 15:39.55 (Tornillo, 9/9).

9, Matthew Marshall, Eastwood, 15:40.7 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

10, Danny Torres, Eastwood, 15:45.9 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

11, Luis Pastor, Coronado, 15:46.25 (Mary Keisling Park, 8/20).

12, Alejandro Tarin, Hanks, 15:46.7 (May Simmons Park, 9/17).

13, Omer Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 15:56.70 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

14, Edgar Valles, Coronado, 16:10.41 (Mary Keisling Park, 9/17).    

15, Angel Torres, Tornillo, 16:12.82 (Tornillo, 9/9).

16, Sulliman Rodriguez, Eastwood, 16:14.9(Woodbridge, 9/16).

17, Chris Moreno, San Elizario, 16:19.62 (Del Valle, 8/27).

18, Juan Leal, Franklin, 16:22.38 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

19, Braulio Torres, Chapin, 16:23.31 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

20, Noah Castorena, Pebble Hills, 16:28.95 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

21, Adrian Chavez, Eastwood, 16:32.8(Woodbridge, 9/16).

22, Ameen Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 16:33.63 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

23, Preston Eastman, Coronado, 16:35.47(Mary Keisling Park, 9/17).      

24, Seth Truax, Chapin, 16:39.13 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

25, Sebastian Gonzalez, Franklin, 16:40.10 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

Parkland’s Michael Castorena won the Cathedral Invitational.

Power Rankings

1, Daniel Romero, Tornillo, 52 (1).

2, Luis Pastor, Coronado, 49 (4).

3, Chris Moreno, San Elizario, 44 (3).

4, Miles Westbrook, El Paso, 33 (1).

5, Edgar Valles, Coronado, 32 (1).

6, Michael Castorena, Parkland, 28 (1).

7, Angel Torres, Tornillo, 27.

8, Israel Quintana, Immanuel, 26.

9, Julian Guerra, San Elizario, 24.

9, Omer Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 24 (1).

Diego Flores, Franklin, 23.

Alexander Flores, Eastwood, 22.

Preston Eastman, Coronado, 22.

Alejandro Tarin, Hanks, 30.

Ulysses O’Rourke, El Paso, 20.

Leo Valenzuela, El Paso, 19.

Braulio Torres, Chapin, 18.

Ameen Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 17 (1).

Matthew Engle, Franklin, 17.

Noah Castorena, Pebble Hills, 17.

Ayden Lugo, El Paso, 14.

Matthew Marshall, Eastwood, 13.

Seth Truax, Chapin, 12.

Leonardo Resendez, Bel Air, 12.

Anthony Casillas, Eastwood, 11.

Denovan Estrada, Franklin, 11.

Edward Robledo-Gonzales, Mt. View, 11.

Leo Espino, Eastwood, 9.

Matthew, Guerra, Burges, 9.

Max Sandhu, Coronado, 9.

Oscar Guzman, Franklin, 9.

Jacob Noble, Cathedral, 8.

Elijah Noble, Cathedral, 7.

Juan Leal, Franklin, 7.

Efren Moncada, Parkland, 7.

Ethan Fontaine, Franklin, 6.

Angel Maese, San Elizario, 5.

Andrew Hernandez, El Paso, 5.

Esteban Aguilera, Canutillo, 5.

Aidan Danny Torres, Eastwood, 5.

Julian Miramontes, Eastwood, 5.

Zachary Rivas, Pebble Hills, 4.

Sam Flores, Coronado, 4.

Joaquin Moya, El Paso, 4.

Carlos Mendez, Coronado, 4.

Lorenzo Shields, El Paso, 3.

Adam Ramirez, Montwood, 3.

Sam Breceda, Coronado, 3.

Austen Percifull, Franklin, 3.

Robert Dickerson, Pebble Hills, 3.

Joaquin Chavez, Eastwood, 2.

Francisco Reyes, Jefferson 2.

Aidan Hernandez, Eastlake, 2.

Lorenzo Shields, Coronado, 2.

Gabriel Uranga, Franklin, 2.

Micha Lay, Pebble Hills, 1.

William Potter, Bel Air, 1.

Sulliman Rodriguez, Eastwood, 1.

Renee Galaviz, Socorro, 1.

Jesus Herrera, Harmony Science, 1.

High School Girls Cross Country Poll: Week 6

Every Wednesday, El Paso Running will utilize a point system to highlight El Paso’s top girls cross country runners.

The system is as follows: In a race of less than 150 runners, first place gets 10 points, second gets 9 points all the way down to 10th place which gets 1 point. For meets with between 150 to 300 runners, double points will be rewarded meaning 20 points for first, 19 for second all the way down to 1 point for 20th. For every additional 150 runners, another 10 runners will be included in the points.

For those who like raw times, we also list the Top 25 girls race times and the meets and dates that they occurred.

For questions, videos and photos email vrmart66@gmail.com.

This week’s schedule

Clint ISD Course Preview: 8 a.m., Friday, Sept. 23 at Horizon Golf Course. Riverside, Bel Air, Ysleta, Del Valle, YWLA, Parkland, Hanks, San Elizario, Clint, Horizon, Mt. View, Anthony, Valle Verde, Fabens, Loretto, Radford, Canutillo, Tornillo.

EPISD/SISD Preview: 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 24 at Horizon Golf Course. Coronado, Irvin, Austin, Franklin, Burges, El Paso, Chapin, Bowie, Andress, Jefferson, Pebble Hills, Eastlake, Montwood, Socorro, Americas, El Dorado.

Eastwood raced at the ultra-fast Woodbridge Classic. Six of the seven runners achieved personal best.

Top 10

1. Franklin: The open team placed eight runners in the top 10 and swept the Loretto/Cathedral Open Saturday at Veterans Park. Finishing one through six were sophomore Sienna Zarate (21:28.84), junior Brooke McCune (21:34.77), sophomore Tessa Gibbons (21:45.29), junior Hannah Martinez (21:51.16), junior Breckyn Wiebe (22:31.50) and senior Shani Malone (22:38.82). Sophomore Olivia Elder was eighth in 22:53.41 and senior Kayla Hicks was tenth in 23:04.54. The varsity will race at the EPISD/SISD Preview at Horizon Golf Course on Saturday.

 2. Eastwood: Six Troopers set personal records in the rated division of the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic in Irvine, Calif., Friday night. The team finished 17th in the 34 team, 226 runner race. Sophomore Adelynn Rodriguez lead Eastwood, placing 40th in 18:04.4 on the 3-mile course. The 1-5 split was 1 minute and 7 seconds.

3. Pebble Hills: The Spartans placed fifth in the Class 6A division of the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park. Senior Natalie Martinez Lopez was the only top 10 finisher, finishing ninth 20:41.8. Freshman Aubrey Arsenault had a top 20 race, finishing 19th in 21:33.6. The team is scheduled to race at the EPISD/SISD Preview at Horizon Golf Course on Saturday.

4. Eastlake: The finished eighth in the Class 6A division of the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park. Junior Itzel Chavez was the top Falcon runner, placing 24th in 21:54.2. The team is scheduled to race at the EPISD/SISD Preview at Horizon Golf Course on Saturday.

5. Montwood: The Rams did not race on Saturday. Montwood is scheduled to race at the EPISD/SISD Preview at Horizon Golf Course on Saturday.

6. El Paso High: The Tigers easily won its own invitational at Mary Frances Keisling Park with 17 points. El Paso High had five runners in the top six spots including the top three – junior Andrea Castillo (21:06.81), senior Jezarae Valenzuela (21:28.99) and junior Sofia Ramirez (21:49.86). Freshman Kylie Alvarez was fifth 22:04.20 and fellow 9th grader, Clarissa Castillo, was sixth in 22:21.76. The team will race at the EPISD/SISD Preview at Horizon Golf Course on Saturday.

7. Canutillo: The Eagles did not race its varsity last week.  The team will race at the Clint ISD Course Preview Friday at 8 a.m. at Horizon Golf Course.

8. Coronado: The T-Birds’ finished second at the El Paso High Invitational at Mary Frances Keisling Park. Coronado had two runners finish in the top 10 – junior Alexa Lawrence (fourth, 21:58.93) and senior Christina Duncan (ninth, 22:35.84). The team will race at the EPISD/SISD Preview at Horizon Golf Course on Saturday.

9. Hanks: The Knights were seventh in the Class 5A division of the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park. Hanks had two runners, sophomore Elizabeth Aguirre (ninth, 20:53.7) and junior Destinee Loeza (10th, 20:53.7), in the top 10. The team will race at the Clint ISD Course Preview Friday at 8 a.m. at Horizon Golf Course.

10. Americas: The finished ninth in the Class 6A division of the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park.  Tornillo Invitational. Sophomore Laila Morales was the top runner, placing 36th in 22:49.9. The team is scheduled to race at the EPISD/SISD Preview at Horizon Golf Course on Saturday.

Dropped out: None.

On the brink: Socorro.

Eastlake junior Itzel Chavez leads the young Eastlake Falcons.

Top Times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 18:04.4 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

2, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 18:44.75 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

3, Salma Licon, Eastwood, 18:45.2 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

4, Sophia Watts, 18:52.7 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

5, Abigail Pinon, Franklin, 18:58.19 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

6, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18:58.74 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

7, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 18:59.60 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

8, Annika Cuellar, Eastwood, 19:06.8 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

9, Giovanna Zubia, Eastwood, 19:12.0 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

10, Abigail Barraza, Franklin, 19:34.09 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

11, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 19:35.11 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

12, Sophia Keiser, Franklin, 19:36.53 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

13, Emily Orr, Franklin, 19:39.36 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

14, Hannah Tellez, Eastwood, 19:42.0 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

15, Nahlur Gurrola, Eastwood, 19:43.8 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

16, Victoria Hoyt, Franklin, 19:45.68 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

17, Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 19:47.10 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

18, Natalia Martinez Lopez, Pebble Hills, 19:46.69 (Shawver Park, 9/10).

19, Rebecca Duran, Chapin, 19:58.44 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

20, Gianny Correa, Chapin, 20:01.61 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

21, Aubrey Arsenault, Pebble Hills, 20:04.43 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

22, Tessa Gibbons, Franklin, 20:16.05 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

23, Itzel Chavez, Eastlake, 20:18.87 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

24, Brooke McCune, Franklin, 20:28.25 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

25, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 20:28.43 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

Tornillo senior Kylene Elias had a top 10 finish in the Class 3A division at the Lubbock Invitational.

Power Rankings

1, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 43 (1).

2, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 39 (3).

3, Andrea Castillo, El Paso, 38 (2).

4, Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 29.

5, Jezarae Valenzuela, El Paso, 26.

6, Gianny Correa, Chapin, 25.

7, Natalia Martinez Lopez, Pebble Hills, 25 (1).

8, Elizabeth Aguirre, Hanks, 19.

9, Abigail Pinon, Franklin, 18 (1).

9, Emily Orr, Franklin, 18.

9, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 18 (1).

Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 17 (1).

Rebecca Duran, Chapin, 16.

Aubrey Arsenault, Pebble Hills, 16 (1).

Itzel Chavez, Eastlake, 15.

Mia Hairston, Montwood, 15.

Tessa Gibbons, Franklin, 15.

Kylene Elias, Tornillo, 15 (1).

Sofia Ramirez, El Paso, 14.

Clarissa Castillo, El Paso, 14.

Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 13.

Victoria Hoyt, Franklin, 11.

Jennifer Najar, Canutillo, 11.

Marysol Vida, Bel Air, 11.

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 10.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 10.

Brooke McCune, Franklin, 10.

Sienna Zarate, Franklin, 10 (1).

Salma Licon, Eastwood, 9.

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 9.

Nevaeh Escobedo, Canutillo, 9.

Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 8.

Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 8.

Natalie Martinez, Eastlake, 8.

Kyra Walker, Coronado, 7.

Kim Castro, Riverside, 7.

Abby Barraza, Franklin, 7.

Jeanette Rivera, Young Women’s, 7.

Nadine Villasana, Socorro, 7.

Hannah Martinez, Franklin, 7.

Itzel Dean, Horizon, 6.

Kylie Alvarez, El Paso, 6.

Camila Luna, Riverside, 5.

Destinee Loeza, Hanks, 6.

Breckyn Wiebe, Franklin, 6.

Mea Workman, Socorro, 5.

Shani Malone, Franklin, 5.

Katelyn Montoya, San Elizario, 5.

Chloe Del Real, Eastlake, 4.

Annika Cuellar, Eastwood, 4.

Andrea Iniguez, Andress, 4.

Ashley White, Hanks, 4.

Isabella Galindo, Coronado, 3.

Hillary Hernandez, Riverside, 3.

Sophia Keiser, Franklin, 3.

Hannah Tellez, Eastwood, 3.

Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 3.

Christina Duncan, Coronado, 3.

Olivia Elder, Franklin, 3.

Arianna Castaneda, Canutillo, 2.

Paula Tapia, Riverside, 2.

Calista Sakellakos, El Paso, 2.

Nahlur Gurrola, Eastwood, 2.

Alexandra Ordaz, San Elizario, 2.

Sarah Dovenbarger, Eastlake, 1.

Madison Leedom, Hanks, 1.

Aleah Ortiz, El Paso 1.

Alina Caballero, Socorro, 1.

Kayla Hicks, Franklin, 1.

Monday Cooldown: Pebble Hills seniors laying the foundation

Natalia Martinez Lopez

The Pebble Hills boys’ and girls’ cross country teams are having successful seasons.

The boys are ranked No. 4 and the girls are No. 3 in the El Paso Running Top 10.

Both squads are led by a pair of seniors – Natalia Martinez Lopez and Omer Ibrahim – who began to lay the foundation for success last fall.

Now, a year later, the boys and girls teams are realizing their potential.

“The teams are doing great,” Martinez Lopez said after posting a season best, 19:46.69 at Shawver Park on Sept. 10. “Both the guys and the girls have a great shot at regionals. We’ve been getting some great help from the freshman Audrey (Arsenault), she has really given us that step up that we needed.”

The Spartans have five runners with top 25 times including Natalie Franco (11,19:47.10), Martinez Lopez (12, 19:46.69), Arsenault (15h, 20:04.43), Carolina Zarrabal (19th, 20:28.43) and Sophia Santivanez (25th, 20:57.35).

“We all have progressed, especially Natalie, our junior, I’m really proud of her,” she said. “At practice, she is able to push me a lot more. We’ll continue to push each other throughout the season.”

Martinez Lopez was 10th at this weekend’sLubbock Invitational in the Class 6A Division and Arsenault was 19th.

Martinez Lopez said she is gaining confidence with every race.

“Last year I was really nervous,” she said. “Before every race, I had really bad anxiety. I doubted myself a lot. Track season really helped because it’s a shorter distance. Honestly, I prefer track over cross country. Track helped me learn how to cope with my nerves before a race. I’m still nervous, but not as nervous I was last year.”

Omer Ibrahim

Omer Ibrahim has been fighting nagging injuries in the early part of the cross country season.

First it was quad injury and then he strained his hip flexer.

“I still have knots but it’s getting better,” Ibrahim said after finishing second in 16:43.68 at the Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park. “I’m doing acupuncture and all sorts of new things so that’s helped.”

There was a possibility of Ibrahim missing the cross country season if he did not heal properly.

“If my injuries continued my dad (and coach Bashar Ibrahim), told me I would have to sit out cross country and focus on track so I had a lot at stake,” he said. “I’m feeling a lot better, honestly, all I care about is to keep on running.”

Ibrahim finished sixth at the Lubbock Invitational in the Class 6A Division in 16:40.4.

Senior teammate Noah Castorena was 16th in 17:38.0.

“I’m going try my best in the next six weeks to get back to full health and hopefully I can be back to where I should be and get ready for district, regionals and hopefully state.”

The Spartans have three runners in the city’s Top 25 times list – Ibrahim at No.6 (15:56.70) senior Castorena at 13th (16:28.95) and sophomore Ameen Ibrahim at 14th (16:33.63).

“I’m extremely proud of them, they have improved so much from where they were last year,” he said of his teammates. “They are pushing themselves more so when me and Noah leave, the younger ones can step up. It will be nice to come back and see them after I leave and see how well they can hold their own. I believe they’ll have a strong team for years to come.”

High School Boys Cross Country Poll: Week 5

Every Thursday, El Paso Running will utilize a point system to highlight El Paso’s top boy’s cross country runners.

The system is as follows: In a race of less than 150 runners, first place gets 10 points, second gets 9 points all the way down to 10th place which gets 1 point. For meets with between 150 to 300 runners, double points will be rewarded meaning 20 points for first, 19 for second all the way down to 1 point for 20th. For every additional 150 runners, another 10 runners will be included in the points.

For those who like raw times, we also list the Top 25 boys race times and the meets and dates that they occurred.

For questions, videos and photos email vrmart66@gmail.com.

This week’s schedule

Woodbridge Cross Country Classic: 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16 at Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif. Eastwood.

El Paso High Invitational: 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 17 at Mary Frances Keisling Park. El Paso, Coronado, Socorro, Del Valle, VVECH, Riverside,

Loretto/Cathedral Open: 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 17 at Veterans Park.  Irvin, Franklin, Andress, Radford, El Dorado, San Eli, Ysleta, Bel Air, YWLA, Anthony, Eastwood, Santa Teresa, Gadsden, Chaparral, Bowie.

Lubbock Invitational: 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 17 at Mae Simmons Park. Jefferson, Burges, Austin, Chapin, Pebble Hills, Montwood, Americas, El Dorado, Hanks, Ft Hancock, Tornillo.

Most teams will be racing on the regional course in Lubbock on Saturday.

Top 10

1. Franklin: The Cougars did not race last week and will have its open team run at the Cathedral Invitational at Veterans Park on Saturday.

2. Eastwood: The Troopers varsity did not race last week the Tornillo Invitational. However, Aidan Danny Torres was sixth in 16:58.94 and Sulliman Rodriguez was tenth in 17:11.85. Eastwood’s open team was second with 69 points. The team will race at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic in Irvine, Calif., Friday night.

3. Coronado: The T-Birds won the Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park with 21 points. Coronado had four runners in the top eight including individual champion senior Luis Pastor (16:06.92). Junior Edgar Valles was third in 16:55.29, junior Preston Eastman was fourth in 17:02.71, sophomore Max Sandhu was seventh in 17:29.59 and Carlos Mendez was eighth in 17:31.06. The team will race at the El Paso High Invitational at Mary Frances Keisling Park.

4. Pebble Hills: The Spartans did not run a full team at the Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park.  Senior Omer Ibrahim was second in 16:43.68. Pebble Hills will race at the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park on Saturday.

5. San Elizario: The Eagles finished third at the Tornillo Invitational with 88 points. San Elizario had two top 10 runners – senior Chris Moreno (third, 16:35.59) and junior Julian Guerra (fourth, time not recorded). San Eli’s fourth runner junior Angel Maese was injured and jogged the final mile. The team will race at the Cathedral Invitational at Veterans Park on Saturday.

6. El Paso High: The Tigers won the Tornillo Invitational with 65 points. El Paso placed two runners – sophomores Miles Westbrook (fifth, 16:42.38) and Ulysses O’Rourke (tenth, 17:10.09) – in the top 10. The team will race at its own invitational at El Paso at Mary Frances Keisling Park.

7. Tornillo: Tornillo finished fifth at its own meet despite its top two runners taking first and second place. Junior Daniel Romero (first, 15:39.55) and senior Angel Torres (second, 16:12.82) each set season-best marks. The Coyotes were missing one of its top 5 runners. The team will race at the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park on Saturday.

8. Chapin: The Huskies did not run a complete varsity team Tornillo Friday night. Chapin had two runners in the top 5 – sophomore Braulio Torres was sixth in 16:53.43. Chapin will race at the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park on Saturday.

9. Americas: The Trailblazers finished fourth at the Tornillo Invitational. Its top runner was senior Jacob Martinez (17th, 17:26.84). Americas will race at the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park on Saturday.

10. Bel Air:  The Highlanders make its season debut in the top 10 after its third-place finish at the Ysleta Invitational. Bel Air has gradually improved as the season has progressed. Its top runner Saturday was Leonardo Resendez who finished tenth in 17:45.13.

Dropped out: Cathedral.

On the brink: Parkland, Montwood.

Tornillo senior Angel Torres ran a season best 16:12.82 last week.

Top times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Diego Flores, Franklin, 15:26.04 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

2, Denovan Estrada, Franklin, 15:29.44 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

3, Matthew Engle, Franklin, 15:32.31 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

4, Daniel Romero, Tornillo, 15:39.55 (Tornillo, 9/9).

5, Luis Pastor, Coronado, 15:46.25 (Mary Keisling Park, 8/20).

6, Omer Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 15:56.70 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

7, Angel Torres, Tornillo, 16:12.82 (Tornillo, 9/9).

8, Chris Moreno, San Elizario, 16:19.62 (Del Valle, 8/27).

9, Juan Leal, Franklin, 16:22.38 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

10, Alejandro Tarin, Hanks, 16:22.89 (Mary Keisling Park, 8/20).

11, Braulio Torres, Chapin, 16:23.31 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

12, Alexander Flores, Eastwood, 16:24.18 (Del Valle, 8/27).

13, Noah Castorena, Pebble Hills, 16:28.95 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

14, Ameen Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 16:33.63 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

15, Seth Truax, Chapin, 16:39.13 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

16, Sebastian Gonzalez, Franklin, 16:40.10 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

17, Frank Lozano, Franklin, 16:41.37 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

18, Miles Westbrook, El Paso High, 16:42.38 (Tornillo, 9/9.

19, Julian Guerra, San Elizario, 16:45.80 (Clint, 8/13).

20, Matthew Marshall, Eastwood, 16:50.51 (Del Valle, 8/27).

21, Jacob Noble, Cathedral, 16:51.73 (Blackie Chesher, 8/12).

22, Esteban Aguilera, Canutillo, 16:52.80 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

23, Elijah Noble, Cathedral, 16:52.88 (Blackie Chesher, 8/12).

24, Edward Robledo-Gonzales, Mt. View, 16:55.24 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

25, Austen Percifull, Franklin, 16:56.07 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

Immanuel’s Israel Quintana (bib number 1852), has been running well all season.

Power Rankings

1, Luis Pastor, Coronado, 49 (4).

2, Chris Moreno, San Elizario, 44 (3).

3, Daniel Romero, Tornillo, 43 (1).

4, Miles Westbrook, El Paso, 25 (1).

5, Julian Guerra, San Elizario, 24.

6, Diego Flores, Franklin, 23.

7, Alexander Flores, Eastwood, 22.

7, Edgar Valles, Coronado, 22.

9, Alejandro Tarin, Hanks, 21.

9, Angel Torres, Tornillo, 21.

Omer Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 19 (1).

Braulio Torres, Chapin, 18.

Israel Quintana, Immanuel, 18.

Michael Castorena, Parkland, 18.

Ameen Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 17 (1).

Matthew Engle, Franklin, 17.

Noah Castorena, Pebble Hills, 17.

Ulysses O’Rourke, El Paso, 14.

Matthew Marshall, Eastwood, 13.

Preston Eastman, Coronado, 13.

Leo Valenzuela, El Paso, 12.

Seth Truax, Chapin, 12.

Anthony Casillas, Eastwood, 11.

Denovan Estrada, Franklin, 11.

Edward Robledo-Gonzales, Mt. View, 11.

Ayden Lugo, El Paso, 10.

Leo Espino, Eastwood, 9.

Matthew, Guerra, Burges, 9.

Jacob Noble, Cathedral, 8.

Elijah Noble, Cathedral, 7.

Juan Leal, Franklin, 7.

Angel Maese, San Elizario, 5.

Andrew Hernandez, El Paso, 5.

Esteban Aguilera, Canutillo, 5.

Leonardo Resendez, Bel Air, 5.

Aidan Danny Torres, Eastwood, 5.

Zachary Rivas, Pebble Hills, 4.

Sam Flores, Coronado, 4.

Joaquin Moya, El Paso, 4.

Max Sandhu, Coronado, 4.

Carlos Mendez, Coronado, 4.

Lorenzo Shields, El Paso, 3.

Adam Ramirez, Montwood, 3.

Efren Moncada, Parkland, 3.

Robert Dickerson, Pebble Hills, 3.

Joaquin Chavez, Eastwood, 2.

Francisco Reyes, Jefferson 2.

Aidan Hernandez, Eastlake, 2.

Micha Lay, Pebble Hills, 1.

William Potter, Bel Air, 1.

Sulliman Rodriguez, Eastwood, 1.

High School Girls Cross Country Poll: Week 5

Every Wednesday, El Paso Running will utilize a point system to highlight El Paso’s top girls cross country runners.

The system is as follows: In a race of less than 150 runners, first place gets 10 points, second gets 9 points all the way down to 10th place which gets 1 point. For meets with between 150 to 300 runners, double points will be rewarded meaning 20 points for first, 19 for second all the way down to 1 point for 20th. For every additional 150 runners, another 10 runners will be included in the points.

For those who like raw times, we also list the Top 25 girls race times and the meets and dates that they occurred.

For questions, videos and photos email vrmart66@gmail.com.

This week’s schedule

Woodbridge Cross Country Classic: 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16 at Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif. Eastwood.

El Paso High Invitational: 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 17 at Mary Frances Keisling Park. El Paso, Coronado, Socorro, Del Valle, VVECH, Riverside.

Loretto/Cathedral Open: 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 17 at Veterans Park.  Irvin, Franklin, Andress, Radford, El Dorado, San Eli, Ysleta, Bel Air, YWLA, Anthony, Eastwood, Santa Teresa, Gadsden, Chaparral, Bowie.

Lubbock Invitational: 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 17 at Mae Simmons Park. Jefferson, Burges, Austin, Chapin, Pebble Hills, Eastlake, Montwood, Americas, El Dorado, Hanks, Ft. Hancock, Tornillo.

Most of the teams will be headed to the Lubbock Invitational on Saturday.

Top 10

1. Franklin: The Cougars did not race last week. The open team will race at the Loretto/Cathedral Open Saturday at Veterans Park.    

2. Eastwood: The Troopers varsity did not race last week. Senior Nahlur Gurrola finished ninth at the Tornillo Invitational in 21:33.37. The open team placed fourth. The team will race at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic in Irvine, Calif., Friday night.

3. Pebble Hills: The Spartans did not race all its varsity runners at the Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park. Senior Natalie Martinez Lopez won the event in a season best 19:46.69. The team will race at the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park on Saturday.

4. Eastlake: The Falcons did not race all of its varsity runners at the Ysleta Invitational. However, junior Natalie Martinez was fifth in 21:54.55. The team will race at the Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park on Saturday.

5. Montwood: The Rams placed three runners in the top five to win the Tornillo Invitational with 42 points. Senior Kassandra Jimenez picked up her third straight individual championship winning in 19:13.61. Freshman Mia Hairston earned a personal best 20:40.10 and finished third while senior Jazmine Miranda was fifth in 21:05.36. Montwood will race at Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park on Saturday.

6. El Paso High: The Tigers finished second at the Tornillo Invitational with 48 points. El Paso High had three runners in the top 10. Junior Andrea Castillo was fourth in 20:47.37, senior Jezarae Valenzuela was eighth in 21:32.71 and freshman Clarissa Castillo was tenth in 21:53.66. The team will race at its own invitational at Mary Frances Keisling Park.

7. Canutillo: The Eagles did not race its full varsity team but still managed a second-place finish at the Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park. The team placed three runners in the top six – senior Natalie Rivera (second, 20:52.23), freshman Nevaeh Escobedo (fourth, 21:52.16) and Jennifer Najar (sixth, 22:16.72).

8. Coronado: The T-Birds’ inconsistency makes them difficult to figure out.  After a few disappointing weeks, Coronado is back in the top 10 after winning the Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park placing two runners in the top 10 – junior Alexa Lawrence (ninth, 22:30.08) and senior Christina Duncan (tenth, 22:35.46). The team will race at the El Paso High Invitational at Mary Frances Keisling Park.

9. Hanks: The Knights placed third at the Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park, five points behind Canutillo. Hanks had two runners in the top seven – Elizabeth Aguirre (third, 21:43.29) and Destinee Loeza (seventh, Hanks, 22:27.94). The team will race at Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park on Saturday.

10. Americas: The Trailblazers finished third at the Tornillo Invitational. Its top runners were sophomores Laila Morales (11th, 21:54.28) and Gisele Abascal (13th, 22:00.10). The team will race at Lubbock Invitational at Mae Simmons Park on Saturday.

Dropped out: Chapin.

On the brink: Socorro.

The Coronado girls are back in the Top 10 after winning the Ysleta Invitational.

Top Times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 18:44.75 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

2, Abigail Pinon, Franklin, 18:58.19 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

3, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18:58.74 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

4, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 18:59.60 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

5, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 19:33.45 (Canutillo, 8/20).

6, Abigail Barraza, Franklin, 19:34.09 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

7, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 19:35.11 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

8, Sophia Keiser, Franklin, 19:36.53 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

9, Emily Orr, Franklin, 19:39.36 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

10, Victoria Hoyt, Franklin, 19:45.68 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

11, Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 19:47.10 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

12, Natalia Martinez Lopez, Pebble Hills, 19:46.69 (Shawver Park, 9/10).

13, Rebecca Duran, Chapin, 19:58.44 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

14, Gianny Correa, Chapin, 20:01.61 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

15, Aubrey Arsenault, Pebble Hills, 20:04.43 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

16, Tessa Gibbons, Franklin, 20:16.05 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

17, Itzel Chavez, Eastlake, 20:18.87 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

18, Brooke McCune, Franklin, 20:28.25 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

19, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 20:28.43 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

20, Nevaeh Escobedo, Canutillo, 20:35.04 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

21, Mia Hairston, Montwood, 20:40.10 (Tornillo, 9/9).

22, Chloe Del Real, Eastlake, 20:45.77 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

23, Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 20:46.02 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

24, Andrea Castillo, El Paso High, 20:47.37 (Tornillo 9/9).

25, Sophia Santivanez, Pebble Hills, 20:57.35 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

Elizabeth Aguirre and Destinee Loeza have been the mainstays for Hanks.

Power Rankings

1, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 43 (1).

2, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 39 (3).

3, Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 29.

4, Andrea Castillo, El Paso, 28 (1).

5, Gianny Correa, Chapin, 25.

6, Natalia Martinez Lopez, Pebble Hills, 23 (1).

7, Abigail Pinon, Franklin, 18 (1).

7, Emily Orr, Franklin, 18.

7, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 18 (1).

10, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 17 (1).

10, Jezarae Valenzuela, El Paso, 17.

10, Elizabeth Aguirre, Hanks, 17.

Rebecca Duran, Chapin, 16.

Aubrey Arsenault, Pebble Hills, 16 (1).

Itzel Chavez, Eastlake, 15.

Mia Hairston, Montwood, 15.

Kylene Elias, Tornillo, 14 (1).

Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 13.

Victoria Hoyt, Franklin, 11.

Jennifer Najar, Canutillo, 11.

Marysol Vida, Bel Air, 11.

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 10.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 10.

Salma Licon, Eastwood, 9.

Clarissa Castillo, El Paso, 9.

Nevaeh Escobedo, Canutillo, 9.

Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 8.

Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 8.

Natalie Martinez, Eastlake, 8.

Kyra Walker, Coronado, 7.

Kim Castro, Riverside, 7.

Tessa Gibbons, Franklin, 7.

Abby Barraza, Franklin, 7.

Jeanette Rivera, Young Women’s, 7.

Sofia Ramirez, El Paso, 6.

Itzel Dean, Horizon, 6.

Camila Luna, Riverside, 5.

Katelyn Montoya, San Elizario, 5.

Chloe Del Real, Eastlake, 4.

Nadine Villasana, Socorro, 4.

Annika Cuellar, Eastwood, 4.

Ashley White, Hanks, 4.

Destinee Loeza, Hanks, 4.

Isabella Galindo, Coronado, 3.

Hillary Hernandez, Riverside, 3.

Sophia Keiser, Franklin, 3.

Hannah Tellez, Eastwood, 3.

Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 3.

Arianna Castaneda, Canutillo, 2.

Paula Tapia, Riverside, 2.

Calista Sakellakos, El Paso, 2.

Nahlur Gurrola, Eastwood, 2.

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 2.

Sarah Dovenbarger, Eastlake, 1.

Mea Workman, Socorro, 1.

Madison Leedom, Hanks, 1.

Brooke McCune, Franklin, 1.

Aleah Ortiz, El Paso 1.

Christina Duncan, Coronado, 1.

High School Boy’s Poll: Week 4

Every Thursday, El Paso Running will utilize a point system to highlight El Paso’s top boy’s cross country runners.

The system is as follows: In a race of less than 150 runners, first place gets 10 points, second gets 9 points all the way down to 10th place which gets 1 point. For meets with between 150 to 300 runners, double points will be rewarded meaning 20 points for first, 19 for second all the way down to 1 point for 20th. For every additional 150 runners, another 10 runners will be included in the points.

For those who like raw times, we also list the Top 25 boys race times and the meets and dates that they occurred.

For questions, videos and photos email vrmart66@gmail.com.

This week’s schedule

Tornillo Invitational: 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9 at Tornillo High School. Tornillo, Franklin, Burges, El Paso, Chapin, Eastlake, Americas, San Eli, Tornillo, Ft. Hancock, Eastwood, Chaparral, Santa Teresa.

Ysleta Invitational:  8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 10 at Shawver Park. Coronado, Austin, Jefferson, Pebble Hills, Eastlake, Socorro, Ysleta, Bel Air, Radford, YWLA, Anthony, Hanks, VVECH, Del Valle, Riverside, Cathedral, Santa Teresa, Bowie.

Franklin is ranked No. 6 in the Class 6A by the Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas.

Top 10

1. Franklin: The Cougars move up to the top spot placing four runners in the top eight to win the Trooper Twilight Invitational at the Eastside Sports Complex. Senior Diego Flores was third in 16:24.05, junior Matthew Engle was fourth, (16:33.91), senior Denovan Estrada was seventh (16:41.21) and junior Juan Leal was eighth (16:47.00). The team is ranked No. 6 in Class 6A by the Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas. The team will not race this weekend.

2. Eastwood: The Troopers finished second at its own invitational. Junior Alexander Flores was the low-point man finishing sixth in 16:40.30. Junior Leo Espino was 11th in 16:55.90. Eastwood’s team average was 17:00.74. Eastwood is ranked No. 8 in Class 6A by the Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas. The team will not race this weekend.

3. Coronado: The T-Birds finished third at the Trooper Twilight Invitational. Senior Luis Pastor won the individual title in 15:56.36. Junior Edgar Valles was 12th in 16:57.51. The team’s average was 17:02.61. Coronado will race at the Ysleta Invitational Saturday at Shawver Park.

4. Pebble Hills: The Spartans won its own invitational at Blackie Chesher Park with 25 points. Senior Omer Ibrahim won the event in 15:56.70. Three other runners finished in the top 10 – senior Noah Castorena (third, 16:28.950, sophomore Ameen Ibrahim (fourth, 16:33.63) and junior Robert Dickerson (tenth, 17:18.06). The team average was 16:44.23. The Spartans will race at the Ysleta Invitational Saturday at Shawver Park.

5. San Elizario: The Eagles finished fourth at the Trooper Twilight with a team average of 17:53.85. San Elizario had two top 10 runners – senior Chris Moreno (fifth, 16:34.80) and junior Julian Guerra (tenth, 16:54.40). San Elizario is ranked No. 2 in Class 4A by the Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas. The team will race at Tornillo Invitational on Friday night.

6. El Paso High: The Tigers were fourth at the Trooper Twilight with an average score of 18:10.04. Its top runner was sophomore Miles Westbrook (18th, 17:20.37). El Paso will race at Tornillo Invitational on Friday night.

7. Tornillo: Tornillo moves up one after its sixth-place finish at the Trooper Twilight. The Coyotes had two runners in the top 9 – junior Daniel Romero (second, 16:20.50) and senior Angel Torres (ninth, 16:51.54). Tornillo cracked the Class 3A Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas poll, ranked No. 6. The team will race at its own invitational Friday night.

8. Chapin: The Huskies move up one after finishing second at the Pebble Hills Invitational at Blackie Chesher Park. Chapin had two runners in the top 5 – sophomore Braulio Torres was second in 16:23.31 and junior Seth Truax was fifth in 16:39.13. Chapin will race Friday night at Tornillo.

9. Americas: The Trailblazers move up one after finishing third at the Pebble Hills Invitational. Its top runner was sophomore Diego Romero (13th, 17:28.57). Americas will race at the Tornillo Invitational on Friday night.

 10. Cathedral:  The Irish drop three spots after not fielding a full team at the Trooper Twilight.

Dropped out: None.

On the brink: Parkland, Bel Air.

Eastwood’s Matthew Marshall and Anthony Casillas have two of the city’s fastest 25 times.

Top times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Diego Flores, Franklin, 15:26.04 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

2, Denovan Estrada, Franklin, 15:29.44 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

3, Matthew Engle, Franklin, 15:32.31 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

4, Luis Pastor, Coronado, 15:46.25 (Mary Keisling Park, 8/20).

5, Omer Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 15:56.70 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

6, Chris Moreno, San Elizario, 16:19.62 (Del Valle, 8/27).

7, Daniel Romero, Tornillo, 16:19.98 (Del Valle, 8/27).

8, Juan Leal, Franklin, 16:22.38 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

9, Alejandro Tarin, Hanks, 16:22.89 (Mary Keisling Park, 8/20).

10, Braulio Torres, Chapin, 16:23.31 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

11, Alexander Flores, Eastwood, 16:24.18 (Del Valle, 8/27).

12, Noah Castorena, Pebble Hills, 16:28.95 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

13, Ameen Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 16:33.63 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

14, Seth Truax, Chapin, 16:39.13 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

15, Sebastian Gonzalez, Franklin, 16:40.10 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

16, Frank Lozano, Franklin, 16:41.37 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

17, Angel Torres, Tornillo, 16:44.41 (Mary Keisling Park, 8/20).

18, Julian Guerra, San Elizario, 16:45.80 (Clint, 8/13).

19, Matthew Marshall, Eastwood, 16:50.51 (Del Valle, 8/27).

20, Jacob Noble, Cathedral, 16:51.73 (Blackie Chesher, 8/12).

21, Esteban Aguilera, Canutillo, 16:52.80 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

22, Elijah Noble, Cathedral, 16:52.88 (Blackie Chesher, 8/12).

23, Edward Robledo-Gonzales, Mt. View, 16:55.24 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

24, Austen Percifull, Franklin, 16:56.07 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

25, Anthony Casillas, Eastwood, 16:56.74 (Del Valle, 8/27).

Mt. View’s Edward Robledo-Gonzales ran a season best 16:55.24 at Blackie Chesher Park last week.

Power Rankings

1, Luis Pastor, Coronado, 39 (3).

2, Chris Moreno, San Elizario, 36 (3).

3, Daniel Romero, Tornillo, 33.

4, Diego Flores, Franklin, 23.

5, Alexander Flores, Eastwood, 22.

6, Alejandro Tarin, Hanks, 21.

7, Miles Westbrook, El Paso, 18 (1).

8, Ameen Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 17 (1).

8, Matthew Engle, Franklin, 17.

8, Julian Guerra, San Elizario, 17.

8, Noah Castorena, Pebble Hills, 17.

Edgar Valles, Coronado, 14.

Matthew Marshall, Eastwood, 13.

Michael Castorena, Parkland, 13.

Israel Quintana, Immanuel, 12.

Leo Valenzuela, El Paso, 12.

Ulysses O’Rourke, El Paso, 12.

Braulio Torres, Chapin, 12.

Seth Truax, Chapin, 12.

Angel Torres, Tornillo, 12.

Anthony Casillas, Eastwood, 11.

Denovan Estrada, Franklin, 11.

Omer Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 10 (1).

Ayden Lugo, El Paso, 10.

Leo Espino, Eastwood, 9.

Edward Robledo-Gonzales, Mt. View, 8.

Jacob Noble, Cathedral, 8.

Elijah Noble, Cathedral, 7.

Juan Leal, Franklin, 7.

Preston Eastman, Coronado, 6.

Matthew, Guerra, Burges, 5.

Angel Maese, San Elizario, 5.

Andrew Hernandez, El Paso, 5.

Esteban Aguilera, Canutillo, 5.

Zachary Rivas, Pebble Hills, 4.

Sam Flores, Coronado, 4.

Leonardo Resendez, Bel Air, 4.

Joaquin Moya, El Paso, 4.

Lorenzo Shields, El Paso, 3.

Adam Ramirez, Montwood, 3.

Robert Dickerson, Pebble Hills, 3.

Joaquin Chavez, Eastwood, 2.

Francisco Reyes, Jefferson 2.

Aidan Hernandez, Eastlake, 2.

Micha Lay, Pebble Hills, 1.

Carlos Mendez, Coronado, 1.

William Potter, Bel Air, 1.

Efren Moncada, Parkland, 1.

High School Girl’s Poll: Week 4

Every Wednesday, El Paso Running will utilize a point system to highlight El Paso’s top girls cross country runners.

The system is as follows: In a race of less than 150 runners, first place gets 10 points, second gets 9 points all the way down to 10th place which gets 1 point. For meets with between 150 to 300 runners, double points will be rewarded meaning 20 points for first, 19 for second all the way down to 1 point for 20th. For every additional 150 runners, another 10 runners will be included in the points.

For those who like raw times, we also list the Top 25 girls race times and the meets and dates that they occurred.

For questions, videos and photos email vrmart66@gmail.com.

This week’s schedule

Tornillo Invitational: 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9 at Tornillo High School. Tornillo, Franklin, Burges, El Paso, Chapin, Eastlake, Americas, San Eli, Tornillo, Ft. Hancock, Eastwood, Chaparral, Santa Teresa.

Ysleta Invitational:  8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 10 at Shawver Park. Coronado, Austin, Jefferson, Pebble Hills, Eastlake, Socorro, Ysleta, Bel Air, Radford, YWLA, Anthony, Hanks, VVECH, Del Valle, Riverside, Cathedral, Santa Teresa, Bowie.

Eastlake continues to improve each week.

Top 10

1. Franklin: The Cougars scored 18 points, placing six runners in the top seven at the Trooper Twilight Invitational at the Eastside Sports Complex. Freshman Abigail Pinon won her first varsity race in 19:56.78 followed by fellow freshman Emily Orr (20:02.96). Senior Alyssa Laspada was fourth in 20:12.14 followed by juniors Victoria Hoyt (20:25.80) Abby Barraza (21:02.61) and senior Sofia Camacho (21:06.88). The team will not race on Saturday.

2. Eastwood: The Troopers finished second at their own invitational at the Eastside Sports Complex with three runners in the top 10. Sophomore Adelynn Rodriguez was second in 20:04.84 and seniors Sophia Watts was eighth in 21:10.44 and Salma Lincon was tenth in 21:19.34. The team will not race this weekend.

3. Pebble Hills: The Spartans move up one after winning their own Invitational at the flat and extremely fast course at Blackie Chesher Park. Pebble Hills had four runners in the top 10 including junior Natalie Franco (third, 19:47.10), freshman Aubrey Arsenault (sixth, 20:04.43), senior Natalie Lopez Martinez (seventh, 20:06.08) and junior Carolina Zarrabal (ninth, 20:28.43). The team will race the Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park on Saturday.

4. Eastlake: The Falcons move up a spot after its second-place finish at the Pebble Hills Invitational at Blackie Chesher Park. Eastlake junior Itzel Chavez was the top runner finishing eighth in 20:18.87. Freshman Chloe Del Real finished 11th in 20:45.77. The team will race the Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park on Saturday.

5. Montwood: The Rams were without several of its top seven runners and managed to finish in fourth place at the Pebble Hills Invitational. Senior Kassandra Jimenez established a season city best 18:44.75 in winning her second straight individual title. The team will not race on Saturday.

6. El Paso High: The Tigers rested three of its top runners and finished fifth at the Trooper Twilight Invitational at the Eastside Sports Complex. Junior Andrea Castillo was ninth in 21:16.04. The Tigers will race at the Tornillo Invitational on Friday night.

7. Hanks: The Knights did not race this weekend. Hanks will return to action Saturday at the Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park.

8. Canutillo: The Eagles did not race a full team at the Pebble Hills Invitational. Senior Natalie Rivera was second in 18:59.60 and freshman Nevaeh Escobedo was tenth in 20:35.04.

9. Americas: The Trailblazers are back in the top 10 after placing third at the Pebble Hills Invitational. Sophomores Lexee Salas (14th, 20:57.82), Laila Morales (15th, 21:22.62) and Gisele Abascal (18th, 21:38.94) had top 20 finishes. The team will race at the Tornillo Invitational on Friday night.

10. Chapin: The Huskies finished fifth at the Pebble Hills Invitational. Two runners, sophomore Rebecca Duran (fourth, 19:58.44) and senior Gianny Correa (fifth, 20:01.61), had top five finishes. The Huskies will race at the Tornillo Invitational on Friday night.

Dropped out: Coronado.

On the brink: Socorro.

Freshman Abigail Pinon has lead the Cougars the past two weeks.

Top Times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 18:44.75 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

2, Abigail Pinon, Franklin, 18:58.19 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

3, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18:58.74 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

4, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 18:59.60 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

5, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 19:33.45 (Canutillo, 8/20).

6, Abigail Barraza, Franklin, 19:34.09 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

7, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 19:35.11 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

8, Sophia Keiser, Franklin, 19:36.53 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

9, Emily Orr, Franklin, 19:39.36 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

10, Victoria Hoyt, Franklin, 19:45.68 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

11, Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 19:47.10 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

12, Natalia Martinez Lopez, Pebble Hills, 19:47.27 (Del Valle, 8/27).

13, Rebecca Duran, Chapin, 19:58.44 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

14, Gianny Correa, Chapin, 20:01.61 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

15, Aubrey Arsenault, Pebble Hills, 20:04.43 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

16, Tessa Gibbons, Franklin, 20:16.05 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

17, Itzel Chavez, Eastlake, 20:18.87 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

18, Brooke McCune, Franklin, 20:28.25 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

19, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 20:28.43 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

20, Nevaeh Escobedo, Canutillo, 20:35.04 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

21, Chloe Del Real, Eastlake, 20:45.77 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

22, Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 20:46.02 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

23, Mia Hairston, Montwood, 20:54.84 (Canutillo, 8/20).

24, Sophia Santivanez, Pebble Hills, 20:57.35 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

25, Lexee Salas, Americas, 20:57.82 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

Canutillo senior Natalie Rivera has been a top five runner all season.

Power Rankings

1, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 34 (1).

2, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 29 (2).

2, Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 29.

4, Andrea Castillo, El Paso, 21 (1).

5, Abigail Pinon, Franklin, 18 (1).

5, Emily Orr, Franklin, 18.

5, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 18 (1).

8, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 17 (1).

9, Rebecca Duran, Chapin, 16.

9, Aubrey Arsenault, Pebble Hills, 16 (1).

9, Gianny Correa, Chapin, 16.

Itzel Chavez, Eastlake, 15.

Jezarae Valenzuela, El Paso, 14.

Natalia Martinez Lopez, Pebble Hills, 13.

Victoria Hoyt, Franklin, 11.

Kylene Elias, Tornillo, 10 (1).

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 10.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 10.

Elizabeth Aguirre, Hanks, 9.

Salma Licon, Eastwood, 9.

Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 8.

Marysol Vida, Bel Air, 8.

Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 8.

Clarissa Castillo, El Paso, 8.

Kyra Walker, Coronado, 7.

Kim Castro, Riverside, 7.

Tessa Gibbons, Franklin, 7.

Abby Barraza, Franklin, 7.

Mia Hairston, Montwood, 7.

Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 7.

Jeanette Rivera, Young Women’s, 7.

Jennifer Najar, Canutillo, 6.

Sofia Ramirez, El Paso, 6.

Itzel Dean, Horizon, 6.

Camila Luna, Riverside, 5.

Chloe Del Real, Eastlake, 4.

Nadine Villasana, Socorro, 4.

Annika Cuellar, Eastwood, 4.

Ashley White, Hanks, 4.

Isabella Galindo, Coronado, 3.

Hillary Hernandez, Riverside, 3.

Sophia Keiser, Franklin, 3.

Hannah Tellez, Eastwood, 3.

Natalie Martinez, Eastlake, 2.

Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 3.

Arianna Castaneda, Canutillo, 2.

Paula Tapia, Riverside, 2.

Calista Sakellakos,  El Paso, 2.

Nevaeh Escobedo, Canutillo, 2.

Sarah Dovenbarger, Eastlake, 1.

Mea Workman, Socorro, 1.

Madison Leedom, Hanks, 1.

Brooke McCune, Franklin, 1.

Aleah Ortiz, El Paso 1.

Monday Cool-Down: Franklin boys, Tornillo’s Romero continue to improve

Diego Flores was third at last week’s Troopers Twilight pacing the Cougars to a team win. Coronado’s Luis Pastor won the event.

The most surprising thing that happened at the Trooper Twilight Invitational at Eastside Sports Complex is what didn’t happen.

For the first time in 11 years, the Eastwood boy’s cross country team did not win a local race.

The upstart Franklin Cougars won the event by placing four runners in the top eight with a team average 16:47.84 42.

“It feels great to beat No. 1 but it only matters when the most important race comes,” said Diego Flores who was third in 16:24.05. “We can win every race leading up to districts but if we lose there, that’s it. Franklin has never won a district title so that’s our goal. We are going to continue working until we reach that goal. After that we’ll take everything step by step.”

Franklin scored 42 points, 19 points better than the field. Eastwood was second with 61 points and Coronado was third with 71 points.

Eastwood’s team average was 17:00.74 and Coronado’s was 17:02.61.

Coronado’s Luis Pastor won in 15:56.36 followed by Daniel Romero from Tornillo (16:20.50), Flores, Matthew Engle from Franklin, (16:33.91), San Elizario’s Chris Moreno (16:34.80), Eastwood’s Alexander Flores (16:40.30) a pair of Franklin runners Denovan Estrada, 16:41.21) and Juan Leal (16:47.00), Tornillo’s  Angel Torres (16:51.54) and Julian Guerra from San Elizario (16:54.40) round out the top 10.

“The season has been a bit challenging individually,” said Flores, a senior. “But it’s been fun; I love the fight our guys have. I love the sport because it shows how much fight you have in you; how bad you want it.”

He said this season has been the best since he has been at Franklin.

“Our team has grown so much,” he said. “We are brothers now. We are genuinely family. I love when our team strives. We have two other top runners – Matthew and Denovan, when they get up there, it makes me want to push harder. This season has been amazing so far.”

Franklin finished fourth at the Southlake Carroll Invitational last week.

“We fought the best teams in Texas,” he said. “I loved the competition there. It changed our mentality; it showed how tough we are. We worked hard as a team. It showed that if we can compete at that level, we could compete with anyone.”

This week’s Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas poll has Franklin ranked No. 6 and Eastwood No. 8 in Class 6A.

Daniel Romero was second at the Trooper Twilight.

Tornillo’s Romero has also performed well this season, finishing second at the Trooper Twilight.

“That was a great race, with a lot of competition,” Romero said. “I had to push myself the entire race. My arms got tired at the end, so I had to open up my stride and extend my legs more in the final stage of the race.”

The Class 3A Cotton Valley school finished a respectable sixth with a team average of 18:34.02.

The team just broke into the Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas poll at No. 6 in Class 3A.

“The season is going very well, hopefully we can make it back to state as a team,” he said. “We’re working with a few new members and every meet they are getting stronger. I try to motivate them and push through their pain, even when it gets hard, I tell them to give it their best.”